Tag Archives: birthday

I’m lucky to be alive! Villa captain Petrov reveals he is on the road to recovery in leukaemia battle

By
Charlie Skillen

PUBLISHED:

12:47 GMT, 17 April 2013

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UPDATED:

13:09 GMT, 17 April 2013

Stiliyan Petrov has revealed he is on the road to recovery following a battle with leukaemia after being diagnosed with the disease in March last year, saying he is lucky to be alive.

The Aston Villa club captain spoke about his experience with treatment for the disease and his appreciation of the fans who supported him at matches.

Defender Petrov, who has won 106 caps for his native Bulgaria, has not retired from the professional game and said he is lucky, due to the amount of people who die from the leukaemia.

Happy Birthday: Stiliyan Petrov has revealed he is on the road to recovery following his battle with leukaemia

'When it happened I knew what kind of
disease it was but I didn’t know anything about what kind of treatment
it was,' he told AVFC.co.uk

'While the treatment was going on I
was surprised how long things were dragging on, it kept dragging and I
kept thinking “when is this going to finish” but with a lot of patience
and a lot of support from family and friends and everybody I managed to
pull through. I had my hard moments but I had good moments as well.

'I can say I’m lucky because some
people with this disease will die very quickly and I managed to keep
battling and still be here, still standing. It’s really good, that’s a
great thing.'

Salute: Petrov acknowledges the Villa Park crowd, showing their support by applauding in the 19th minute

Villa fans hold an applause in the 19th
minute of every game – marking Petrov's squad number – and the
midfielder paid tribute to the supporters who have stood by their
skipper.

'Yeah, the 19th minute has been just
incredible. It’s just showing their appreciation and their support. I
don’t know how I can thank the fans because it’s been incredible.

'Sometimes I have a joke with some
friends when they text me saying, ‘You’ve still got that applause in the
19th minute, when are they going to stop!’ But it’s been incredible.

Touching: Young Villa fans hold up a message in support of their captain

In action: Villa skipper Petrov playing last season before the diagnosis ruled him out of contention

'I’ve got a great wife, a strong,
great wife and she’s been unbelievable, incredible in this journey. The
kids as well, my mom and dad, my brother, my wife’s mum, they’ve all
been so strong and close beside me. Other friends as well, I can’t start
naming names because there are so many, they’ve been so supportive
every single day.

'To have support every single day from
people who have their own problems and their own life but they keep
finding the time to send you a message or call you, it’s just
unbelievable.'

Thoughts: Tributes to Petrov were displayed by teams around the Premier League

Petrov also spoke about the club's current form, and has backed his team-mates to stave off any relegation fears after seeing Saturday's 1-1 draw against Fulham.

'I was there at the game against Fulham and I’ve come to a lot of games this season when I’ve had the chance,' Petrov said.

Back on track: Petrov was watching Villa's 1-1 draw against Fulham, with Charles N'Zogbia's opener (above)

'I needed to have clearance from the doctors to go around crowded areas, so I constantly needed to be feeling well in order for me to be around people.

'I was really impressed by the performance against Fulham because the boys kept going right until the last minute. There are still a lot of games to come, a lot of points to be picked up, so there’s nothing to worry about.'

Happy 7th birthday, Twitter! Highs (and lows) since the micro-blogging site changed the way we interact with sports stars

Olympics.
267,200 tweets per minute after Juan Mata scored for Spain in the Euro 2012 final victory Italy.
13.7m tweets during the Super Bowl when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17.
184,535 tweets per minute when Fernando
Torres equalised against Barcelona to send Chelsea heading towards the
2012 Champions League final.

Seven Twitter controversies

Joey Barton v Dietmaar Hamann

Joey Barton seems to be ranting and raving every hour of every day, giving his outspoken opinions on everything from The FA to the Israel-Palestine dispute. But his most controversial exchange came when a row erupted with Dietmaar Hamann, after Barton tweeted about QPR’s attempt to hijack Newcastle’s bid for Loic Remy in the January transfer window.

Barton was chided by Hamann for getting involved in ‘club politics’ and he responded viciously with a string of insults and allegations about the former Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City player. The pair hammered out a total of over 50 messages and Barton repeatedly told Hamann, 39, to get his ‘life in order’ and claimed the German was unprofessional.

The volatile midfielder also made reference to a gambling problem which Hamann revealed he had, in February 2012, and his family life.

Repeat offender: Barton has been involved in numerous Twitter spats, including one with Hamann

Ashley Cole v Rio Ferdinand

After Ashley Cole reportedly gave court evidence defending Chelsea team-mate John Terry against allegations of racism towards Anton Ferdinand last summer, Rio Ferdinand, disappointed by the ‘Not Guilty’ verdict sent a tweet suggesting that Ashley Cole was a ‘Choc ice’.

Rio was subsequently fined by The FA but the controversy re-emerged in December when Ferdinand was the was left bleeding after being hit in the face with a two pence coin as he celebrated Manchester United’s winning goal against Manchester City at Eastlands.

The family of Ashley Cole took to Facebook to declare their pleasure in seeing Ferdinand hurt, with the Chelsea star’s brother Matthew is said to have posted on Facebook: ‘So happy Rio got hit in the face today when he tried to give it kissing his badge!! Straight in the eye!! Made my day.’ Cole’s mother Sue later added her own comment: ‘Give the fan that threw it a medal!!’

Former friends: Ferdinand and Cole fell out following allegations of racism directed at Anton Ferdinand

Ashley Cole slams The FA

Ashley Cole was fined 90,000 after admitting a Football Association charge in relation to foul-mouthed outburst on Twitter.

The Chelsea and England full-back labelled the FA a 'bunch of t***s' on the social networking site after an independent regulatory commission of the governing body investigating the John Terry racial abuse case had cast doubt on Cole's evidence.

His comments were swiftly removed but the FA reacted quickly and charged Cole, whose furious outburst was retweeted more than 19,000 times and provoked large condemnation from the footballing world.

Referee Mark Halsey receives Death Threats

Referee Mark Halsey called the police in over sick Twitter taunts following his handling of the explosive clash between Liverpool and Manchester United.

A number of tweets referred to Halsey's well-known battle against cancer and sickeningly referred to his wife, Michelle, who has also been fighting the disease.

Two of the most offensive comments came from a John Wareing who posted ‘I hope Mark Halsey gets cancer again and dies’ (@johnwareing1) and a John Hughes who tweeted ‘Mark Halsey should’ve died of cancer’ (@lfcjohn259).

Within minutes of the game finishing in a 2-1 defeat for Liverpool, messages were being posted on social media websites following a number of controversial refereeing decisions including a first-half red card for Liverpool’s Jonjo Shelvey for a rash tackle on United defender Jonny Evans.

Sick: Referee Halsey was targeted by Twitter thugs over his handling of a match

10 Year Old Boy 'blacks up' as El Hadji Diouf

A ten-year-old Leeds United fan became embroiled in an online race row after he blacked up to pose with his hero El Hadji Diouf.

The child posted a series of pictures on his Twitter account provoking a backlash from users who said he was racist.

But the primary school child said he did not realise it would be offensive and did it as a tribute to his footballing hero. The boy’s father was forced to take to his son’s Twitter account to defend him from accusations of racism.

He wrote: 'I want to apologise if (my son) dressing up has caused offence.'

Unbelievable: One Leeds fans 'blacked up' to mimic his favourite player – Diouf

Ryan Babel Mocks up Howard Webb in a Man United shirt

In January 2011, Liverpool winger Ryan Babel became the first professional footballer to be censured for comments made on the social networking site Twitter after the Football Association fined the Dutch international 10,000 for posting a mocked-up picture of referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United shirt.

In the dock: Liverpool striker Babel was reprimanded for posting this mocked-up picture of Webb

Carlton Cole Fined for Anti-Immigration tweets

Carlton Cole was fined 20,000 by the FA for his Twitter comments during England’s match against Ghana in March 2011.

Cole tweeted: ‘Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahaha. The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face w/ the St. George’s flag!’

EXCLUSIVE: England are a one-man team – and they haven't got a chance of winning the World Cup, taunts Brazil superstar Neymar

By
David Kent

PUBLISHED:

15:09 GMT, 5 February 2013

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UPDATED:

15:45 GMT, 5 February 2013

Brazil star Neymar claims England are not good enough to win the World Cup and says they rely too heavily on Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

Neymar, who celebrated his 21st birthday today, will line-up against the Three Lions on Wednesday night in a friendly to mark the Football Association's 150th anniversary.

Happy returns: Neymar tweeted this picture of him with birthday cake at Brazil's team hotel today

Samba stars: Ronaldinho and Neymar (left)

'England are a good team with very good players – but I don't look at them as one of our main rivals for the World Cup,' Neymar who was speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, said.

'They have the players to do well – but do I think they have the same quality as Spain and Argentina No.

'I think maybe they rely on Wayne Rooney.

'At Brazil we have many players who can win the game. The same with Argentina if Messi is not having a great game they still have Aguero and Tevez with Spain if Iniestia is having a bad game they have Xavi and Villa. Once you look past Rooney you don't see an obvious player who can win them a game.'

Neymar said Brazil have high hopes of winning the World Cup in their own country next year.

He said: 'The players love having Scolari as coach. We all respect him – but it works two ways. He is the sort of man that if you show him respect he will show you respect. We are all so happy to be playing under him. Already he is coming up with new ideas about how we can improve. He is very clear that only winning the World Cup will do next year.

Key man: Neymar says England rely too heavily on Wayne Rooney

Safe hands: Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari

'I think he made exactly the right decision to being Ronaldinho back. He is not just one of the best players of recent years but one of the best players to ever play the game. For three years he was the best player in the world. He has won everything with Brazil and also during his time at Barcelona – he brings a lot to the team.

Neymar has repeatedly been linked with a move to Europe with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea tracking the Santos forward.

He added: 'It is nice when I hear top players say I will be the best player in the world. It is important to stay humble – but I have to believe that I can be the best in the world. I know I have the talent to be – I just need to carry on working hard and learning off the players and coaches around me.

'Things are written about my future but they are not true. They can't be true – because no decision has been made. I am happy at Santos now and I am not even thinking about leaving. When the time comes I will consider all offers from big clubs in Europe – but any talk that I have already committed to a club is not true.'

Robson beats American Oudin to deliver first win and join Watson in round two

By
Mike Dickson

PUBLISHED:

05:33 GMT, 15 January 2013

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UPDATED:

06:16 GMT, 15 January 2013

Laura Robson spent the first year of her life in this charming city and, just short of her 19th birthday, she has now won a grand slam match there.

The British No 2 convincingly overcame America’s Melanie Oudin 6-2 6-3 after 75 minutes of highly efficient combat, played out in warm conditions to reach the second round of the Australian Open, where she will join Heather Watson.

Robson now has the tough task of facing former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, a left hander to whom she is not entirely dissimilar in their natural ball-striking abilities. The Czech will not hugely relish the task, given what her younger opponent did to some illustrious names in the US Open.

Double trouble: Laura Robson joined Heather Watson in the second round of the Australian Open

There was also evidence in this first round match that the hard work Robson has put in during a long training stint in Florida before Christmas with Croatian coach Zeljko Krajan has already paid a dividend.

She looked in good shape, is gradually moving better and there seems to be some extra ‘pop’ on her groundstrokes and, especially, her serve. That yielded eleven aces on a medium paced hard court and readily got her out of trouble on the few occasions she was threatened.

Oudin is a cautionary tale, a rising star at 17 who reached the US Open quarter finals and Wimbledon fourth round but has subsequently struggled to handle the pressures thrust upon her in a country anxiously looking for successors to the Williams sisters.

Robson’s rise has been more gradual due mainly to growth-related injuries, and that may not be a bad thing. Having lost here in the first round a year ago she should now move back into the top 50 having slipped this week to 53, and she looks worth that position.

Supported by a decent British contingent in the crowd Robson, who arrived in the UK aged six via a long stint in Singapore, was even treated to a version of the national anthem as she pulled ahead in the first set.

Oudin, ranked 30 places below her, was behind from the start as the Wimbledon-based southpaw repeatedly tucked into her serve and forced her onto the backfoot. When Robson came to serve she was hardly threatened, regularly able to crunch away a winner from a short return as the American struggled to cope with the swing, spin and speed of her left-handed delivery.

Eyes on the prize: Robson will now take on former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the second round

The British No 2 was up around the 110 mph mark on plenty of occasions and the diminutive Oudin was left flailing around in despair, not helped by her misfiring forehand in the case of rallies getting started. Such was the accuracy of Robson’s drives into the corners that most of the time she was not in a comfortable postion to play the shot.

Robson got ahead for 3-2 in the second but then played her worst service game to get broken for the only time. She broke again immediately afterwards and this time had no problem consolidating, clinching a second match point when Oudin sent another forehand wide and long.

After losing to her near contemporary Sloane Stephens in the first round of the Hobart WTA event last week this was just what was needed, and she now has very little to lose against Kvitova in what could be steaming hot conditions.

Chelsea and Arsenal target Luke Shaw will sign a five-year deal at Southampton on his 18th birthday.

The highly rated 17-year-old left back has been attracting admiring glances from a number of the Barclays Premier League’s elite.

However, the latest talent off Southampton's production line has ended any speculation over his future by today committing his long-term future to the club.

Saint Luke: Shaw (right) will sign a five-year deal at Southampton

He cannot sign a senior contract yet but it is believed Shaw will be seal a five-year deal when he does turn 18 on July 12, 2013.

'I have spoken with the chairman about a long-term plan for me at the club,' the defender said.

'To put an end to all the speculation, I will be committing my future to Southampton. I’m not going anywhere.

'I think Southampton is the place to be for young kids like me.

'I’m playing in the Premier League for the first team and that is all anyone wants to be doing, so I just want to carry on.

'I have been at Southampton since a very young age so I’ve been here a long time now.

Making his mark: Shaw has impressed in the Premier League this season

'I think they are happy with me here, and this club is great for young players like us.

'If you look back over the years, Adam (Lallana) has come through the youth system and now he is the captain of the first team, and Prowsey (James Ward-Prowse) has just signed a five-year deal – and that is what I want to be doing.

'We have a lot of trust in our youth and there are more players coming through next year, so hopefully we will just carry on going.'

Shaw’s commitment to Southampton follows on from fellow academy graduate Ward-Prowse, who signed his five-year deal at in November.

Full back Shaw has become an integral part of Nigel Adkins’ side in recent months, having started every match since his full Premier League debut against Swansea in November.

Captain America! United States to drop Ryder Cup bombshell by naming legend Watson as skipper for Gleneagles

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UPDATED:

10:06 GMT, 12 December 2012

Surprises don't happen often when it comes to announcing Ryder Cup captains but the PGA of America will come up with a jaw-dropping one on Thursday when they name Tom Watson as US skipper for the match at Gleneagles in 2014.

Captains on both sides for the past 15 years have all come from a narrow profile of players in their late 40s or early 50s.

'We've done something a little bit different this time,' Ted Bishop, PGA of America president, teased the US media at a lunch on Tuesday.

Leader: Tom Watson will captain the United States Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2014

No-one thought he meant as different as Watson, who will have celebrated his 65th birthday by the time the match comes around.

While the decision will undoubtedly spark incredulity and astonishment in some quarters, it looks an inspired move from this one.

The last time America won on foreign soil was in 1993 when Watson just happened to be the captain at The Belfry.

Think about what has happened since. The last four US captains for away matches have been Tom Kite, Curtis Strange, Tom Lehman and Corey Pavin, who were up against Seve Ballesteros, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam and Colin Montgomerie respectively.

Tartan Army: Scottish golf fans love Watson – he won four Opens north of the border

In other words, four US skippers with little profile in Europe who were all monstered when it came to the vital PR battle against four huge personalities.

America effectively found themselves a couple of points down in each instance before the matches had even started.

So no wonder the PGA of America looked at the widely expected line-up for next time of the immensely popular Darren Clarke against the relatively unknown David Toms and wearily thought to themselves: we've seen this movie before.

Now, in going for a legend who could not be held in higher esteem in Europe, they have changed the dynamic completely.

Watson, lest we forget, won four of his five Open titles in Scotland, where he might even be more popular than Andy Murray. How does Europe counter that one

Where Watson might struggle is that he will not know a great deal about most of the players who will make up his team.

This was one of the complaints about Sir Nick Faldo's captaincy in Kentucky in 2008.

Squaring up: Darren Clarke (right) is set to captain Europe – following on from Jose Maria Olazabal (centre)

The argument against that is that Watson has always been much more of a people person than the aloof Englishman. He might not know much about their music tastes and their personalities, but it is hard to imagine there will be a member of the US team who won't look up to Watson and respect his decisions.

Well, maybe there is one. In 2010, at the height of the Tiger Woods scandal, Watson was scathing in his criticism.

'I feel that Tiger has not carried the same stature as the other great players that have come along like Jack (Nicklaus), /12/12/article-2246805-05C54D86000005DC-660_634x408.jpg” width=”634″ height=”408″ alt=”Fairytale: Watson was so close to winning The Open at Turnberry in 2009 before Stewart Cink pipped him” class=”blkBorder” />

Fairytale: Watson was so close to winning The Open at Turnberry in 2009 before Stewart Cink pipped him

Playing in the Australian Open last week, everyone wondered why an Aussie writer asked Watson how he would feel about being Ryder Cup captain once more. Now the journo looks like a positive sage.

'It would be pretty cool,' said Watson. 'I would like to go back again as a captain. It would be a great honour if I got tapped on the shoulder.'

Northern Irishman Clarke, the overwhelming favourite to be standing in the opposite corner at Gleneagles, is playing in Australia this week and said: 'Obviously if Tom does get it he is one of the legends of the game. I am sure he would be a fantastic captain, not just to the team but that whole aspect of the Ryder Cup. The man is a huge name in the world of golf and rightly so.'

Watson's four Open wins in Scotland came at Carnoustie in 1975, Turnberry in 1977, Muirfield in 1980, and Royal Troon in 1982.

He came close to winning again at Turnberry in 2009 and writing one of the great sports stories of all time at the age of 59 but missed a short putt at the 72nd hole and then lost out in a play-off to Stewart Cink.

Interestingly, in four Ryder Cup teams as a player and one as a captain, he has never been on a losing side.

Given that America have lost seven of the last nine contests, no wonder he got the nod.

The man who will feel most disappointed is the personable Toms, but expect him to be chosen for the match at Hazeltine in 2016.

Unless America win at Gleneagles, of course. In which case it will probably be Arnold Palmer.

Just like that: Conway ended Sheffield Wednesday's hopes late in the day

Taylor and Bellamy then swapped roles to create the Bluebirds' next
opening with Bellamy missing the target with a header after Peter
Whittingham's inch-perfect through-ball sent Taylor scampering down the
left.

Jordon Mutch, who celebrated his 21st birthday with his first start
since September, was next to get in on the act with a fizzing effort
which was almost headed past his own keeper by Miguel Llera.

Cardiff were beginning to up the ante against a side 23 points below
them and four minutes later Mutch tried his luck again, his powerful
drive from distance parried by Owls goalkeeper Chris Kirkland before the
ball was hacked to safety by Llera.

Top of the pile: Cardiff made it 10 home wins from 10

Struggling: Wednesday remain in the drop zone

Despite their hosts' midfield dictating proceedings this Wednesday side
showed little resemblance to the one comprehensively thrashed at home by
Watford on Tuesday as they saw out the rest of the first half without
any real difficulty.

Having found the back of the net in their last 17 Championship matches
it seemed only a matter of time before Malky Mackay's men made the
breakthrough.

Bellamy fired into the midriff of Kirkland and the former Coventry
goalkeeper did well to hold onto Mark Hudson's flick from Bellamy's
cross but Wednesday were proving a tough nut to crack.

Wednesday did switch off at a free-kick allowing Bellamy to cross for
Conway to fire over the bar but a minute later only Marshall denied them
a shock opener. Michail Antonio slipped the first-half substitute
through and his low drive from the right-hand side of the box was well
saved by the Scot's legs.

Then history was made with the next real chance in the 80th minute,
substitute Joe Mason nodding the ball back into the path of Conway just
outside the box. The former Dundee United winger controlled the ball on
his right knee before firing a left-footed shot into Kirkland's bottom
right-hand corner to spark wild celebrations in south Wales.

Rising England star Raheem Sterling could be heading to Arsenal in a deal which would see Theo Walcott sign for Liverpool.

Walcott's current deal expires at the end of the season and manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly prepared to cash in on the winger after seeing talks over a new contract hit the skids.

The Arsenal boss is a huge admirer of Sterling and, according to The Sun, is prepared to offload Walcott plus 8million in his bid to sign the Liverpool winger in January.

Swap deal: Walcott (right) could be offloaded to Liverpool in an attempt by Arsenal to sign Sterling in January

Earlier this month, Sterling added to the uncertainty over his Liverpool future by withdrawing a tweet that was meant to reassure Anfield fans.

Sterling, who became the country's third youngest international in 100 years after making his debut against Sweden on Wednesday night, sent out mixed messages on Twitter by claiming he was going to sign a new deal on his 18th birthday next month – then removing the message.

International duty: Sterling made his England debut on Wednesday

It followed claims that his advisers were asking Liverpool for 50,000 a week.

Walcott is believed to be holding out for 90,000, but the Arsenal hierarchy are unprepared to meet his demands.

The winger, who will undergo a fitness test before today's North London derby, will be free to talk to other clubs from January 1.

England's newest call-up, 17-year-old
Raheem Sterling, added to the uncertainty over his Liverpool future by
withdrawing a tweet that was meant to reassure Anfield fans.

Sterling, who will become the
country’s third youngest international in 100 years if he makes his
debut against Sweden on Wednesday night, sent out mixed messages on
Twitter by claiming he was going to sign a new deal on his 18th birthday
next month — then removing the message.

High demands: Raheem Sterling wants parity with the Liverpool's first-team

It followed claims that his advisers were asking Liverpool for 50,000 a week, bringing him in line with England internationals Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, both being kept out of the first-team by Sterling.

It came on the day when manager Brendan Rodgers was left wondering whether the forthcoming closure of an investment company owned by Liverpool’s main shareholder John W Henry will impact on transfer activity in January.

Sterling has been a rare bright spot in a disappointing start to Liverpool’s season. Stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League, they have an awkward game at Chelsea.

Picked up from QPR at 15, Sterling’s current 2,000-a-week contract has 18 months to run. Liverpool, who divide their salary groups into four tiers headed by stars like Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, are offering a tier three salary of about 20,000 a week, but Sterling is believed to want a tier two wage as he is now a regular.

Yesterday, he tweeted that his reported demands were wide of the mark, saying: ‘I’ve just woken up to this rubbish. I can assure you I’ve not asked for that stupid amount, where [sic] waiting till I’m 18 to sign.’ But the message was quickly removed.

Rodgers revealed that talks with Sterling had been ongoing for months but there may be progress once he turns 18 on December 8.

‘There will be something but there’s no need to rush it,’ said Rodgers. ‘He has become a very talented young man in the space of four months, so he and his representatives and family know our thoughts on him and we just want to make sure his concentration is on his football.’

Flying start: The 17-year-old has exploded onto the scene this season, though his youthful inexperience has been noticeable at times

If Jamaica-born Sterling turns down an
offer to stay there will be no shortage of suitors with Chelsea, Arsenal
and Manchester City leading the way. He was picked for a senior England
squad for the first time by Roy Hodgson last week and will become only
the third 17-year-old to be capped since 1863, following Wayne Rooney
and Theo Walcott.

Hodgson said: ‘I saw him when he played in Borussia Moenchengladbach in
2010 when I’d only been at Liverpool for three weeks. He came on for the
last 15 minutes in front of 55,000 people and almost won it for us. So,
I had an idea two years ago that this lad might be a bit of a player. I
thought it was a no-brainer that Raheem Sterling would be in the team.’

Meanwhile, the owner’s trading company, John W Henry & Co, will
close next month having seen assets drop from $2.5billion in 2007 to
less than $100m.